A woman sent me an E-mail with the following message – “I know this will sound crazy to some, but I get *MAJOR* nasty nightmares and they are ruining me.” What can I do?” Nightmares are not at all uncommon, but when they upset you to the point to where you don’t want to go to bed at night or, as the woman said above “are ruining me,” then action must be taken.

A nightmare is a very distressing or upsetting dream that usually forces you to wake up in a very panicky state. Nightmares can be the result of many things. They can be our way of addressing those issues that we avoid in our waking lives or they can be a sign of some deeper psychological issues. If they tend to be repetitive, I would suggest that is an indication of a more intense need to resolve some issue.

If you find yourself waking up most nights in a panic due to nightmares, perhaps it’s time to reach out for some assistance. Call a therapist and mention that you have an interest in working on your dreams and make sure you see someone who is comfortable in that area. The bottom line is that you must continue to fight for the sleep and life you want. But only you can make it happen, and getting a good night’s sleep is critical to having a good day. Be aggressive about creating the life you want. You’re worth the effort!